Tire covering and holding device



Sept. 7, 1937. G. A. LYON TIRE COVERiNG AND HOLDING DENISE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed March :5, 1950 v I v INVENTOR J6 34 $60545 ALBERTZYQ/V Sept. 7, 1937. LYON Re. 20,498

' TIRE COVERING AND HOLDING DEVICE Original Filed March 3, .1930 2 Sheets-Sheet- I INVEN TOR Reissued Sept. 7, 1937 UNITED STATES Re. this PATENT QFFIQE to Lyon Incorporated, poration of Delaware Asbury Park, N. J., a cor- Original No. 2,022,132, dated November 26, 1935,

Serial No. 432,612, lllarch 3, 1930.

1935. Application for January 4,

Renewed reissue November 21, 1936, Serial No. 112,099

5 Claims.

This invention relates to tire covering and holding devices for the spare tires of automobiles.

The invention is particularly designed to be applied to a tire supported on the tender or running board of an automobile.

The principal object of the invention is to produce a device which will cover a spare tire supported on the fender or running board of an automobile and which will also hold the tire securely in position on the fender or running board.

With this and other objects in View, the invention consists of the novel and improved features, constructions and combinations of parts hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims, the advantages of which will be read-- ily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The invention is illustrated as embodied in a structure for covering a tire resting in a well in the fender of an automobile and for holding the tire securely in place in the well.

The invention will be clearly understood from the accompanying drawings illustrating the in vention in its preferred form and the following detailed description of the constructions therein shown.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation illustrating a construction embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a detailed sectional View taken substantially on the line l-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially on the line 55 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a detailed sectional View taken on a plane substantially the same as the upper portion of Figure 2 and illustrating a. modified construction;

Figure 7 is a View in side elevation illustrating a modified form of the invention;

Figure 8 is a sectional View taken substantial- 1y on the line 88 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a view in side elevation illustrating a still further modified form of the invention;

Figure 10 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line l0lil of Figure 9; and

Figure 11 shows a modification of the pivot structure of Figure 3.

The invention is illustrated in this application as applied to a tire 2 engaging in a recess or Well 4 in the fender 6 of an automobile. The

structure illustrated serves the dual function of a hold-down device for holding the tire in the fender well and a cover for the tire.

In the construction shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, the structure comprises a casing indicated at 8 of annular form for enclosing the portion of the tire extending above the fender well. This casing is made of relatively stiff sheet material and preferably consists of sheet metal shaped into the desired form. The casing 8, as shown, is annular in form and comprises side walls ill for covering the opposite sides of the tire, and a peripheral wall [2 arranged to extend about the peripheral portion of the tire. The side walls 10 of the casing, as shown in the drawings, are terminated adjacent the rim. These side Walls, however, may be constructed so as to extend to the axis of the tire and rim. The peripheral wall [2 of the casing is formed toextend partially about the tire in engagement with the tread, as shown in Figure 1, and the ends of this wall are spaced apart a distance slightly greater than the diameter of the tireto enable the casing to be applied readily over a tire and removed therefrom. The side walls in are preferably shaped to extend for a short distance into the fender well, as shown in Figures 1 and 4.

The casing 8 is arranged to extend over the tire and to engage the tread in the manner illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 and is adapted to be secured in fixed position with relation to the fender so as. to hold the tire securely in place in the fender well. The devices for holding the casing in position, however, may be arranged either so that the casing may be entirely detached from the fender or so that it may be moved with relation to the fender to permit the removal of the tire.

In the construction shown, the casing 8 is pivoted at I4 upon a bracket [6 secured to the fender. The casing is preferably pivoted to the bracket I6 upon pivot bolts l8 and 20 passing respectively through projections 22 and 24 on the bracket 16 and through projections on brackets 25 and 28 secured to the casing. The sets of projections 22 and 24 and the brackets is and 28 are spaced apart a considerable distance in a. direction transverse to the central plane of the casing thereby giving a spaced two-point support for the pivoted end of the casing, as shown in Figure 3.

The opposite end of the casing B is adapted to be forced down toward the fender to force the tire firmly into the fender well to hold the tire in position. The devices for holding down this end of the casing are arranged so that the casing may be released and swung upwardly about the pivot I4.

The devices for holding down the latter end of the casing comprise a U-shaped shackle 30 pivoted in brackets 32 secured to the fender. The spaced parallel arms of this shackle are respectively arranged to engage in slots 34 in spaced brackets 36 secured to the casing 8. The said arms of the shackles are threaded to receive wing nuts 38 which are adapted to engage the brackets 36. The brackets 36 are preferably provided with upwardly extending projections at their outer ends to prevent the disengagement of the arms of the shackle 30 from the slots 34 when the nuts are screwed down. The tire is firmly secured in the fender well by screwing down the nuts 38 so that they exert a heavy pressure on the brackets 36.

Figures 1 and 2 show the position of the parts when the tire is secured within the fender well by the combined tire cover and hold-down or push-down device. In removing the tire from the well, the nuts 38 are first unscrewed and the shackle 33 is swung to the right, Figure 1., to disengage the arms thereof from the slots 34 and the brackets 35. The casing B may then be swung upwardly and to the left to its limiting position after which the tire may be readily removed from the fender well. In placing a tire within the well the casing is swung back to its limiting position, the tire is placed in the well, and the casing is then swung downwardly until its peripheral wall l2 engages the peripheral or tread portion of the tire. The shackle 30 is then swung to the left, Figure 1, to engage the arms thereof in the slots 34, and the nuts 38 are screwed down to push or force the tire firmly into the well.

It will be noted that the casing 8, when the tire is secured in position in the well, is itself supported and secured in position at four separated points. The casing 8 will not only hold the tire firmly down in the Well, but will also effectively prevent any substantial lateral or wobbling movement thereof.

If desired, the casing 8 may be locked in tire molding position to prevent the removal of the tire by an unauthorized person. To this end, in the construction shown, each of the wings of the nuts 38 is provided with openings 4|! through which may be passed the bow of a padlock 4|, as shown particularly in Figures 2 and 5.

The casing 8, shown in Figure 6, differs from that shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive in that it comprises merely a side wall 42 for covering one side of a tire and a peripheral wall 44 formed toextend about the peripheral portion of the tire. This casing is adapted to be secured to the fender in substantially the same manner as the casing shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive and to operate in the same manner in holding the tire in position.

In the construction shown in Figures 7 and 8, the tire cover and holding or push-down devices comprise a side cover section 48 for covering one side of the tire and a peripheral section 46 arranged to extend about the peripheral portion of the tire. The side cover section 48 consists of an annular plate of relatively stiff sheet material, preferably sheet metal, constructed to extend from that part of the side Wall of the tire adjacent the tread to the rim. This section is recessed or concave on the inside thereof to receive the bulge in the side wall of the tire, the section fitting over the side wall, as shown in Figure 8. The section 48 may be formed to extend from the periphery of the tire to the axis of the tire and rim. This section is preferably constructed so as to extend for a short distance into the tire well, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 7. The section 46 consists of an annular member also made of relatively stiff sheet material, preferably sheet metal, and is recessed or concave on the inside thereof to receive the tread portion of the tire. The section 46 is constructed to extend beyond the tread at both side margins and is arranged to overlap the periphery of the side section 48 on the outside thereof to hold the side section in place on the tire.

The annular section 48 is constructed to extend partially about the tire but preferably does not extend down into the tire well and is preferably made of resilient material sufiiciently flexible to enable the same to be expanded in applying the same to and removing it from a tire. The resilience of the section 46 will cause the same to contract upon the tire into substantially the position shown in Figure 7 when it is released. This member also may be constructed so that the distance between the ends thereof is somewhat less than the diameter of the tire to which it is to be applied. This section, as shown in. the drawings, is pivoted to the fender and is secured to the fender to hold the tire in position by means of devices having substantially the same construction, arrangement and mode of operation as the devices for pivoting the casing 8 shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive to the fender and for securing said casing in position. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the section 48 is pivoted at 58 to the fender by means of pivot bolts passing through brackets 52 secured to one end of said section and through brackets 54 secured to the fender. The opposite end of the section 46 is secured in position to hold the tire cover in place by means of a shackle 56 pivoted in brackets 58 secured to the fender, the arms of the shackle being arranged to engage in slots in brackets 68 secured to the section 46. The end of the section is drawn down toward the fender by means of wing nuts 62 threaded on the arms of the shackle 55 and arranged to engage the brackets 68. The wing nuts may be locked on the shackle by means of a padlock 64, the bow of which passes through holes in the wings of the wing nuts.

Figures 7 and 8 show the tire cover and down device applied to a tire in position to hold the tire securely in the fender well. In removing a tire from the well the nuts 62 are unscrewed,

and the shackle 56 is then swung to the right to disengage the arms thereof from the slots in the brackets 68.

The section 46 is then. expanded and swung upwardly and to the left about its pivotal axis. The tire with the side cover section 48 may then be removed from the fender well.

In placing a tire in the fender well and securing A the same in position, the section 45 is swung back to its upper left end limiting position, the side cover is applied to the side wall of a tire in substantially the position shown in Figures 7 and 8,;

and the tire with the side cover is inserted in the running board well. The section 45 is then swung downwardly and to the right and is expanded so that it will pass over the peripheral portion of the tire, the swinging movement being continued;

until the section engages the peripheral lower holdtread portion of the tire. The shackle 55 is then swung upwardly and to the left to engage the arms thereof in the slots in the brackets 50, and the nuts 62 are screwed down to force the tir firmly and securely into the fender well. Figures 9 and 10 show a tire cover and holddown device comprising an annular cover 65 formed to extend about the peripheral portion of the tire. This cover 85 has substantially the same construction, arrangement and mode of operation as the section 45 of the cover and hold down device shown in Figures '7 and 8. In the construction shown in Figures 9 and 10 no side cover is provided for covering the outer side wall of the tire, this side wall being left ex posed, as shown clearly in Figure 9. As shown in these figures, the annular cover 55 is pivoted at B6 to the fender upon pivot bolts passing through brackets 68 secured to one end of said cover and through brackets l secured to the fender. The devices for securing the opposite end of the cover to the fender comprise a shackle l2 pivoted in brackets 14 secured to the fender, the arms of.

which shackle engage in slots in brackets 16 secured to the adjacent end of the cover 65. Wing nuts 18 are threaded on the arms of the shackle and are arranged to engage the brackets 16 to force the adjacent end of the cover toward the running board to secure the tire firmly in position.

If it is desired, the casing 8 shown in Figures 1 to 5 inclusive may be secured to the fender so that it may be detached and entirely removed therefrom. As shown in Figure 11, the left hand end of the casing 8 may be detachably connected to the fender by substituting for the pivot bolts [8 and 28 a single pivot bolt 59 passing through the projections on the bracket 55 and on the brackets 26 and 28 and arranging this pivot bolt so that it may be withdrawn when desired. The section 46 of the construction shown in Figures 7 and 8 and the cover 65 in the construction shown in Figures 9 and 10 may be connected to the fender in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 11 to enable these elements to be detached.

The constructions shown in the drawings not only form satisfactory and efficient covers and push-down or hold-down devices for inflated tires, but will operate much more efiectively than prior devices in holding deflated tires in position on a fender. These prior push-down devices, Which engage either the outer periphery or the inner periphery of the tire, extend over a comparatively small area of the tire so that the tire does not furnish any great resistance to the pressure but readily collapses at this area. In the present construction the pressure of the push-down devices is exerted over an area extending at least substantially half way about the tire, and this area will furnish a heavy resistance to the pressure and will not collapse.

In each of these cover and hold-down constructions the tire is not only held firmly in the fender well so that it will not be dislodged by a movement of the tire in the general direction of the plane thereof, but the tire is effectively held from lateral movement or vibration.

The construction in each case is highly ornamental and attractive in appearance and forms an eifective covering for the tire to protect the same from deterioration from exposure to the weather and from injury from accidental contacts.

It is obvious that the tire cover and holddown device shown in the present application is as well applicable to a tire supported on a running board as to a tire supported on a fender as shown in this case. It is therefore to be understood that the term fender employed in the claims is not restrictive but that this term also applies to a running board structure.

It is to be understood that the terms annular, ring, and ring-shaped, and similar terms which may be employed in the specification and claims of the present application to describe the shape of the tire cover members are not limited to a construction in which the member, or the part thereof described, forms a complete ring and that these terms apply to a construction in which the said member, or the part thereof described, has the form of a portion only of a mug.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular constructions and arrangement of parts of the illustrated embodiment of the invention, but that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the claims.

Having explained the nature and object of the invention and having specifically described a construction embodying the invention in itspreferred form,

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination with a fender well having a spare tire therein of a push-down cover for cooperation with the open side of the fender well to substantially cover the exposed outer side wall and tread portions of the tire and including a flexible tread-covering rim portion for hugging under the tire substantially beyond an upper half of the tire tread to retain the cover on the tire and also including an extended side wall covering portion for telescoping the well to aid in holding the cover in proper tire protecting position,

tire and to hold the cover in position in the well, said cover including a discontinuous and open bottom tread covering part, the opening in the bottom of the tread covering part being of a size to permit downward application of the cover to the tire by a movement of the cover in the plane of the tire, and means connecting the end portions of the tread covering part for forcing the cover down on the tire to cause it snugly to fit the tire and to adjust it to slight Variations in size and diameter of the tire, the end portions of said tread covering part being adapted to be spread apart as the cover is forced down on the tire and adapted thereafter to contract and hug the tire tread substantially below the upper half of the tire.

3. The combination with a fender well having a spare tire therein of a push-down cover made of relatively rigid resilient material such as metal for cooperation with the open side of the fender well to cover substantially the exposed outer side wall and tread portions of the tireand including a discontinuous flexible tread covering rim portion for hugging under the tire substantially beyond the upper half of the tire tread to retain the cover on the tire, the opening in the bottom of the rim portion being of a size to permit the downward application of the cover to the tire by a movement of the cover in the plane of the tire and means connecting the ends of the tread covering rim portion for forcing the cover down on the tire to cause it to fit the tire snugly and to adjust it to slight variations in size and diameter of the tire, said means being adjustably connected to an end of said rim portion for flexing said end inwardly toward the other end of said portion to cause said ends to hug under the tire tread substantially below the upper half of the tire.

4. In combination in a vehicle, a spare tire well,

a spare tire disposed therein, a tire cover for disposition over a portion of the tire above the well and having a lower portion telescoping inside the Well to align the cover with the well, and means for forcing the cover downwardly into having its lower end formed to nest inside the mouth of the well to align the cover with the well, and means for forcing the tire downwardly into cushioned cooperation with said spare wheel assembly and to hold said cover in vertical align- W ment with the well with its lower part nested in the mouth of the well.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON. 

